For Teachers: An Introduction to the START Program

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Transcript of For Teachers: An Introduction to the START Program

START in Practice

More START Info

The "what"

START is free of charge.

START strives to challenge the volunteers to really think "outside the desk" when planning their arts activities, to really use the performing and visual arts as a method for exploration and inspiration.

START does not teach--they use the arts to compliment and support your teaching. That's why volunteers need to know what you'll be teaching so they know what material will be familiar to students and therefore be incorporated into their activities.

All START volunteers must attend a training session and sign a code of conduct.

START provides transportation (college vehicles, student vehicles or volunteers) to and from the school.

We visit 3-4 classrooms in fall, winter and spring terms based on how many teachers have requested START and how many volunteers we have available.

START has a budget for materials but volunteers often ask the teacher and/or school if they can borrow things like scissors or glue.

START can generally go as far out as 30 minutes from campus but it all depends on the availability of students

FOR TEACHERS:An Introduction to START

Students Teaching in the ArtsGrades 1-8Groups of Dartmouth students lead original arts integration projects in non-arts subjects6 weeks of visits, plus a meeting to review plan prior to 1st visitProgram StructureActivity PlansExamples of START Activity Plans:Have questions?Want START in your classroom? Just to be clear . . .START is about the art. It is about how students can tap into their creative side in a way that complements learning. Volunteers are not teaching math or science. They are teaching imagination, exploration and collaboration. START should ignite the students' creative side with activities that are "outside the desk."WE NEED YOU!START's volunteer training focuses on getting them to plan activities that introduce creativity into the curriculum. Though we spend some time talking about classroom management, we rely heavily on our teachers to help model it for the volunteers during visits. Partner teachers are invited to a portion of the training session to talk to the volunteers about how best to approach their classroom, and it should definitely come up during the meeting with volunteers prior to the first visit.

Volunteers apply, interview and are accepted into the program. They are placed in groups of 2 or 3 and assigned a classroom.Visits begin. Teachers are asked to be in the classroom during the visit to help with classroom management. Teachers are also welcome to participate in whatever way they are most comfortable.

START staff will observe volunteers in weeks 2 and 6. Photos may also be taken if permissable.

Volunteers attend training and begin developing their plans based on info from teacher. Following training, they contact teacher to set up meeting before first visit. Volunteer program that visits classroomsThe more flexibility you have the more likely you are to get START volunteers. Here is what a typical Dartmouth student's schedule looks like:Contact Mary Gaetz at mary.gaetz@dartmouth.eduor 603-646-2010Teachers contact START and provide information (curricular material and information and options for day of week and time of day for visits) to START.What is arts integration?

The "why"Dance itAct itSing itMake itRemember it

Who is START?

Dartmouth undergraduates who:Have a passion for the performing and visual artsWill push themselves to be creative leaders Partner teachers who:START Staff who:Want to create unique learning experiences for young studentsAre thoughtful collaboratorsProvide information about curriculum, their classroom and support volunteers in the classroomHelp train, support and provide oversight for the program